Feud delaying relocation of late Mills' body – Family Spokesperson

A misunderstanding between the two families of late President John Atta Mills in Cape Coast and Ekumfi Otuam in the Central Region, has delayed the relocation of the late President’s body from Accra to Ekumfi Otuam, Family spokesperson has disclosed.

According to Mr Awotwi Pratt, the body of the former first gentleman of the land can be conveyed from Accra only when the two families soften their stance on the matter and choose between one of the towns to host the ex President.

Ex President Atta Mills whose mortal remains currently lies at the Asomdwee Park near the Osu Castle after he died on 24th July 2012 while in office.

Brother of the late President, Dr Cadman Mills has previously stated that the family at Otuam has been made to understand that the late Atta Mills is a national asset thus his body belongs to the state, but it appears some of the family members are not happy with that position.

They have argued that per Ghana’s law, custom and tradition, the family is the bonafide owner of a corpse irrespective of the social standing thus the mortal remains of Atta Mills should be brought to his ancestral home to enable him rest in peace.

Family Spokesperson, Mr Awotwi Pratt in an interview stated that thoughts of relocating the body of the ex President should be jettisoned at least for now until a consensus is reached by two families.

“The disagreement has to be resolved before his body can be relocated to Ekumfi Otuam. If we are not a united front, the wrangling will continue unabated and it will be difficult to move the body elsewhere, which is why we have to exercise patience on this particular issue.”

Sunday (yesterday) July 24, 2016 marks exactly four years, since the demise of ex President John Evans Atta Mills, who would have turned 72 on Thursday July 21.

On 21 December 2006, Mills was overwhelmingly elected by the NDC as its candidate for the 2008 presidential election with a majority of 81.4% (1,362 votes), far ahead of his opponents, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, and Eddie Annan. In 2008, he was elected president of Ghana, after a keenly contested three round election. He died on 24 July 2012 while still in office.